The events of late 2001 have left many of us feeling traumatized by the prospect of travel, local or international. Now is the time, though, that plans are being made for the coming year. If your community is not planning an Israel Seminar for its graduates, you can join up with one of our national seminars, scheduled for June 24 – July 4, 2002 and July 22 – August 1, 2002.

If you are asking whether coming to Israel at this time is at all feasible, I suggest that we learn from the experience of the summer of 2001, when three seminars did take place. Each seminar seemed to take on an intensity of learning, probably enhanced by a sense of purpose and identification with Israel at a troubled hour. Encounters with “people on the street” were at once laden with tension and extremely rewarding. Critical events in ancient times seemed to take on new clarity, while challenges of the present and future were examined soberly. Each person, whether first-timer or seasoned Israel traveler, reflected on the extent of their new perspectives and insights gained throughout the seminar.

Although, naturally, security issues had been uppermost in everyone’s minds, once participants arrived in Israel, many said they felt much safer than expected. In planning the Israel Seminar, we always take into account the safety of our participants. This year we placed particular emphasis on security and adapted the schedule as needed to address these concerns.

In the wake of the tragedies of September and the economic downturn, many are asking whether they can afford to undertake an Israel Seminar. I would turn the question around: can Mini-School graduates afford NOT to take part in an Israel Seminar?

Ask last summer’s participants: they will all tell you, NO!